redstriper

The last Precision I had was in the 70s - an Aria PB that I stupidly sold to get a Wal. I'm now looking at an 80s Tokai Hardpuncher to feed my P bass gas.

I rarely promote my band on here because there is so little interest, which is fairy nuff - why should I expect anyone else to dig the music I love to make? I recently posted a link to our new album and as usual received not a single comment. It's fine though - we are not special or unique - just another band well used to rejection, doing it for love not money Here's the link in case you missed it (lol): [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/199139-new-tacsi-album-free-download/page__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/199139-new-tacsi-album-free-download/page__fromsearch__1[/url]

The same thing has happened to me and I've only played Jazz basses for 30 years - this doesn't help: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoVfamlcbYo[/media]

Good point Nig, well made - we are all doomed though

Brilliant - great video, interesting sounding band too

[quote name='iceonaboy' timestamp='1361833468' post='1991817'] I just bought an Electrovoice PA two ELX115P's powered tops and two ELX118P's powered subs. The desk is a Peavey pv14. We just set it up at the weekend for the first time and its a killer rig. Sounds amazing! [/quote] What are you using as monitors? Are there enough aux sends on the Peavey desk to allow different monitor mixes and use the internal FX too? Thanks.

We are also looking foe a new PA for the band and to hire out. That Mackie i-pad desk looks brilliant - what a great idea. Powered cabs and monitors seem the simplest solution, but which ones? [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]The HK Audio stuff looks great.[/font][/color]

I had a similar experience with Napster when it first started. I'm a big fan of rare Jamaican 7" singles, but most of them had not been reissued on CD at that time and they were all but impossible to find on vinyl. It was fantastic to find loads on Napster and the chat facility meant I made contacts with other fans all over the world. I even made contact with Jackie Mittoo's nephew and exchanged emails with his mother. Within a couple of years many of these rare recordings started to appear on CD and I bought many, including artists I had never heard of before Napster. Since then this music has enjoyed a big revival, with old ska and rocksteady tunes often used in radio broadcasts, TV ads and in films. This has generated a new and unexpected revenue stream for the copyright holders and it is an example of the power of file sharing, Music has a life of it's own after it is released and the idea that an artist would want to prevent it's sharing seems odd to me.

[quote name='Zenitram' timestamp='1361671227' post='1989201'] Interesting piece: [url="http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/feb/24/napster-music-free-file-sharing"]http://www.guardian....ee-file-sharing[/url] [/quote] Yes it is, thanks for the link I'd forgotten the early days of Napster and tiny download speeds before broadband. It makes you wonder where it will all end...

I hope they do it with basses and plug them in to hear the tone differences. The price difference between a Squier and a custom shop Fender is extreme.

Thom, you seem very sincere and I doubt we will agree, so let's leave it at that - I'm sure we both have far more interesting and important things to do with our time. I wish you all the best despite our different view points

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' timestamp='1361625849' post='1988437'] If you think the world shouldn't change, then you're in the very extreme minority. I, for one, don't think that people should continue to starve to death, be abused or be ripped off for their work. We're working towards ideals and although they might be a long way off, they're ideals, not immediate plans. Of course you could roll over and accept that these things happen, but I think it'd be nice for things to improve over time, even if it's after we're all dead and buried, someone can still enjoy the progress we've made. [/quote] It doesn't make any difference what you or I think, the world will change and we have no control over it. Starvation and inequality could be stopped very easily if the people who run the world wanted it and things will not improve gradually over time just because ordinary people want it to. [quote] Anyone has a right to voice their opinion, it doesn't mean their life stops because of it. As for the least affected, the first people to realy kick up a fuss and bring it to peoples' attention was Metallica, although I'm sure they're comfy with the amount they're earning anyway, I highly doubt that it's small amounts they're losing to piracy. Arguably for small bands, it's more of a problem because every penny counts. [/quote] I don't remember saying anyone's life would stop by voicing an opinion, although there are many examples of the phenomenon. I fully respect your opinion, even though I disagree and I'm sure you will show me the same courtesy. Metallica are one of many bands who don't like file sharing and I understand their POV, but it won't make any difference, whether they like it or not. [quote] I don't know how much my band is losing, I know that our music has been pirated (punters have told me that their mate won't buy a CD because they'll just copy it and I expect most wouldn't say) but there's no way of tracking it. [/quote] I would be pleased if someone liked my music enough to copy and share it, they are spreading the word and that can lead to more lucrative forms of income in the long run. You can't stop it anyway and being sour about it won't change anything. [quote]That's obviously a business model that works well for your band, that's nice for you but it doesn't work for all bands and it definitely wouldn't work for mine.[/quote] How do you know that? It works for thousands of other bands and it doesn't mean you should stop doing what you are already doing. [quote]File sharing is here to stay, I've already said that. I couldn't disagree with your last statement more though. One individual is part of the human race, if enough people agree with something, then that's what forces change. If you really believe that statement, I assume you don't vote either because you're just an individual and your opinion doesn't matter and you think that activists like Martin Luther King etc should've kept quiet because they were just one person?[/quote] You assume too much, but perhaps you are right and you along with all your supporters will stop file sharing. I sincerely hope not, it will be a dark day for mankind.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1361611942' post='1988166'] Why not move on and deal with the world as it is instead of wishing it was different. [/quote] I absolutely agree with this. Why is it the people who are least affected by file sharing seem most upset by it? Thom - how much is your band actually losing as a result of file sharing? My band has all it's music available for free download and we have received international airplay and good gigs as a direct result - these have brought in more money than selling a few CDs at gigs, (which we still do of course). File sharing is hear to stay whether you like it or not and individuals agreeing or disagreeing with it isn't going to change anything.

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1361201522' post='1982641'] There's a gun in this house. Maybe i should grab it and start firing shells off everywhere? y'know, it's within my means, so why not? [/quote] As long as you remember to focus I don't know why you are getting so upset about something that is beyond all our control and doesn't affect you or anyone you know. Things are as they are, the world has changed and it will keep changing, so why not relax, accept the reality and make the most of it? Just a well meant suggestion - I don't want to argue and I'm afraid to upset you, especially now I know you're armed

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1361190334' post='1982391'] Ok, so just focus on the part where i said it wasn't the point? [/quote] Focusing..........

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1361186965' post='1982310'] But this still isn't the purpose of this thread. [/quote] Sorry, I was just reacting to your previous comments about how musicians can make money from the digital economy. I didn't mean to derail your thread. I'll shut up now, because I'm obviously getting on your nerves by disagreeing with you.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1361187918' post='1982335'] Out of interest how much of your current "success" is built on your previous 10 years at EMI and contacts you made in the business from that time? [/quote] None and I didn't claim to be 'successful'. I was just giving some examples of how the new digital economy can work for musicians if they accept it. I don't know why I bother

I have been writing and recording music for many years including 10 years signed to EMI. Now I produce music with a band on basic gear in my front room. We make our own CDs to sell at gigs and via other outlets. We don't sell as many as I used to, but we make more money than we would if a record label was taking the lion's share and all our profits go straight to us. We give away our music freely for anyone wanting to download it and this has led to airplay and gigs in various new territories. Airplay has always been the most lucrative form of income for most musicians like me, currently the BBC pay approx. £15 per minute for radio One and around £1.00 per minute for local stations. There are many thousands of radio stations all over the world and I receive revenue from Japan, USA, Europe and the far east, mostly due to people hearing our music from free downloads. Only last night, I had an email from a national radio station offering to play our music - I will inform PRS and they will collect our royalties. We also play gigs and festivals, for which we receive fees and PRS royalties, which increase with the size of gig. There are other ways of making money in the music business, but this model suits us and we are in total control of it. There are many other musicians like us, using the new models to produce and distribute their music, instead of moaning about the good old days. I believe this is the best time ever to be a musician, with so many ways to take control and get your music heard. We would have been amazed back in the 70s to think this would be possible and I am happy to be part of the revolution. We don't do it to make money and we are not rich, but we are happy

This topic seems to come up quite regularly on here and it's interesting how attitudes have changed. The first time I entered this debate here was about 3 years ago and I was in a minority and got attacked from all sides for my views. Now, the tide has changed, with more folks accepting the changes and I am pleased. Not because I want to 'win' an argument on the internet, but because it reflects a wider acceptance in society. File sharing is part of a greater revolution in our culture, which gives me hope for all our futures - power to the people

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1361138115' post='1981802'] Oh, nobody really, just record companies, the people who work with record labels and the music industry in general. [/quote] So why does this upset you so much? Do you think the music industry appreciates your concern? Record companies need to adapt and they have plenty of money to do so, but they seem to prefer throwing it away in a futile attempt to turn the clocks back. The music industry in general will be fine, if it adapts and makes the most of new technology. We are seeing a revolution and there is no going back.

Why are some people here so upset about file sharing and what harm is it doing to them personally? Plenty of people benefit from it, but who is actually losing all this money that you are all so worried about?

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1361114339' post='1981192'] But making excuses and blaming technology is easier. [/quote] I agree 100% and file sharing is the best thing that's happened to music and communication in general for years - it should certainly not be illegal. Another thing is that downloading is not as popular now because streaming has taken over - many young people don't want to own music, they just want instant access to it, anytime, anywhere and that dream is now becoming a reality. My band distributes all it's music and video freely and we have made friends and contacts all over the world. This has led to airplay and gigs which generate income, but money isn't our motivation - we are happy for people to enjoy our stuff, whether they pay or not. We still sell CDs and vinyl to those that want it and it's great that the choice exists, despite the resentment from those who would turn the clock back. Musicians who accept the new ways are enjoying freedom to share their work like never before, while the grumpy old men moan on and on about the so called good old days. You might resent it, but the kids don't care

I play reggae, but I've never used [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]LaBellas because I'm happy with GHS precision flats (55-105)[/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif].[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]You could try lowering the pick up and/or raising the action to see if it helps and also experiment with your amp eq to find the right tone.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I prefer cutting treble and mids rather than boosting the bass, but it depends on your amp and the tone of your bass.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Another thing that can help cut the boom is a lump of foam under the strings by the bridge if you play old skool rocksteady and want a dull, muted tone.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I play a Jazz bass, neck pick up only with the tone rolled off, like[/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Family man and Robbie [/font][/color] TI flats can sound deep and fat on a Precision, (Pino uses them) and a friend of mine has them on his Pino signature Fender Precision in his dub reggae band - you can hear it here: [url="https://soundcloud.com/avatardub/kindness-dub"]https://soundcloud.com/avatardub/kindness-dub[/url] I think the TIs sound great on this and on Pino's stuff and they never sound boomy, but they are very low tension, unlike your LaBellas. Finding the right strings for the right bass can be tricky and expensive, but worth it in the end - good luck and irie ites. Steve

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1360457135' post='1970875'] Here's a few; Percy Jones Boz Burrell Rick Danko Colin Moulding [/quote] Thanks Dave, I've never been into bass players and I don't know who played in most popular bands; I thought Jaco opened the fretless door - must stop believing what I heard years ago before google

YES - This has made my Saturday night, thanks for the link